Minister Chandrasekar inspected a 55-foot vessel valued at USD 250,000 nearing completion at Mattakkuliya; Chairman targets four large vessels annually.
Deputy Finance Minister Anil Jayantha said CPC's May oil bill rose to US$521mn from US$152mn in December, with relief expected by July as prices ease.
Sri Lanka's ASPI closed up 95.87 points at 21,929.64 on Friday, with capital goods leading Rs.2.17 billion in turnover as the rupee recovered.
Brokerage CT Smith argues current rupee and import strain stems from the Middle East energy shock, not the imbalances that drove the 2022 crisis.
Fitch cut NITF to BBB-(lka) on Rating Watch Negative over Cyclone Ditwah losses, then withdrew the rating after the state reinsurer stopped participating.
Fitch Ratings says Sri Lanka's reserves fell 7% between February and April, second only to the Philippines among major Asia-Pacific peers.
BYD distributor JKCG said no LCs were opened in May 2026, denying front-running claims; the Deputy Finance Minister said imports will not be restricted.
Former Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara urged migrant workers to remit through banks not Undiyal as rupee pressures mount.
Deputy Civil Aviation Minister Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku said about 80 investors have downloaded EOI documents online for the Mattala Airport partnership.
Sri Lanka's rupee closed at 329/331 in the spot market on Friday from 342/350 a day earlier, after exporters sold forward and bond yields recovered.
Deputy Finance Minister Anil Jayantha disclosed the spike on May 18, saying it showed panic speculation by importers rather than advance information leaks.
Ambeon Capital PLC reports 104% PAT growth driven by DFCC and Seylan Bank stakes, with new acquisitions in mining, hotels and FMCG via Harischandra Mills.
Deputy Finance Minister Anil Jayantha Fernando rejects claims that rupee depreciation signals economic collapse, citing inflows from IMF, ADB and World Bank.
New Companies Act disclosure rules align with global AML/CFT standards but require verification, integration and capacity-building to deliver, the firm says.
Colombo bourse recovered after Wednesday's drop with ASPI gaining 44.72 points to 21,833. Banks drove Rs.2.1 billion in turnover while bond yields rose.
Energy Minister Karunathilaka told Parliament no PUCSL tariff revision will be sought before September, with the government absorbing a Rs.15 billion subsidy.
SJB MP Harsha de Silva says no bids or offers in the rupee market, with CBSL the only counterparty as exporters withhold dollars and importers rush to buy.
SJB MP Harsha de Silva warns the Central Bank may raise interest rates by 0.5 to 1 percent next week, deepening the tax burden on the public.
The 8,000+ sq m built-to-suit Kimbulapitiya site, 6km from BIA, will serve as Hellmann's South Asia fashion hub for distribution into Asia, Africa and Europe.
IMF mission chief Evan Papageorgiou says Sri Lanka's policy framework is considerably stronger than in the past ahead of the May 27 Executive Board review.
The Inland Revenue Department said it crossed Rs.1 trillion in tax collections by May 18, a first for the department in such early calendar-year time.
JAAF says the rupee's 4.8% depreciation is below India's 6.4% and Nepal's 6.2%, attributing the slide to West Asia conflict and global pressures.
Chaaminda Kumarasiri has stepped down as Group Managing Director of Lanka Hospitals Corporation PLC from May 14 after a year the company called its strongest.
Importers add Rs. 50 to a 400g packet and Rs. 125 to a 1kg packet on stock packaged from 20 May; sugar, dhal and rice expected to follow.